The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic devices, systems, processes, and formulations. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems, methods and formulations creating a therapeutic, homogeneous, cryogenic fluid (e.g., cryofluid).
Cryotherapy may include the use of cryogenic fluid such as water (e.g., ice) and other non-toxic refrigerants to treat a variety of tissue lesions. Cryotherapy may be used in an effort to relieve muscle pain, sprains, and swelling after soft tissue damage or surgery. For example, cryotherapy may be used to accelerate recovery in athletes post exercise. Cryotherapy decreases the temperature of tissue surface to minimize hypoxic cell death, edema accumulation, and muscle spasms, all of which ultimately alleviate discomfort and inflammation. Some cryogenic systems may be used to freeze the cryogenic fluid.
Augers may include any rotating, helical screw. The auger may be housed in a cylindrical housing of a cryogenic system to move material through the cylindrical housing. In some examples, the auger may also be used to remove material from the inside of the cylindrical housing. The rotation of the auger within the cylindrical housing causes the material to be pulled from the sides of the cylindrical housing and from a first end of the cylindrical housing to a second end of the cylindrical housing. In some examples, the auger and cylindrical housing may be used to create pressure in the material being moved through the cylindrical housing by forcing the material to the second end of the cylindrical housing.
The detailed description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. The systems depicted in the accompanying figures are not to scale and components within the figures may be depicted not to scale with each other.
Examples described herein provide for systems and methods related to a simplified cryogenic system for cooling and freezing cryogenic fluid where the cryogenic fluid, once frozen, is scraped from an interior wall of a cylindrical housing by an auger housed and mechanically rotated within the cryogenic system. The cryogenic system may include a heat exchange unit contained in an outer housing and in thermal coupling with the cylindrical housing and/or the auger. The present systems and methods further provide for a sealed, rapid heat exchange system including modular, self-aligning auger including a number of indexable end mills. Still further, the present systems and methods provide an angled push unit for expulsion of frozen material from the cylindrical housing of the cryogenic system. Further, the present systems and methods provide a number of chilling coils surrounding the auger and/or the cylindrical housing to freeze the cryogenic fluid in order to produce the therapeutic, frozen cryogenic fluid.
In the examples described herein, a cryogenic fluid production device or system may be used to produce a cryogenic fluid or slurry from a cryogenic fluid composition. The cryogenic fluid composition may include, for example, water, filtered water, sanitized water, at least one salt, at least one alcohol, at least on sugar, at least one therapeutic, and combinations thereof. The cryogenic fluid or slurry may include nano-sized particles that may enter tissues and organs for therapeutic purposes.
Examples described herein provide a cryogenic fluid production device including a cylindrical housing and a heat exchanger disposed within the cylindrical housing. The heat exchanger may include an inlet, a channel, and an outlet. A coolant may be conveyed through the inlet, the channel, and the outlet of the heat exchanger. The cryogenic fluid production device may further include an interior wall, and an auger disposed within the interior wall of the heat exchanger.
The auger may include at least one helical ridge that interfaces with the ice particles gathered on the interior wall. The at least one helical ridge forces a cryogenic fluid composition introduced into an interior of the interior wall in a direction opposite a gravitational force. A distance between the helical ridge of the auger and the wall may be between 0.005 in. to 0.015 in. The interior wall may be textured.
The cryogenic fluid production device may further include a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations. The operations may include displaying, via a user interface, information defining a formulation of a cryogenic fluid introduced into the cryogenic fluid device, a rotational speed of the auger, a status of a cryogenic fluid mixing process, a status of a cryogenic fluid cooling process, and combinations thereof. The cryogenic fluid device may be ambulatory.
The cryogenic fluid production device may further include an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) assembly to sterilize at least one component of a cryogenic fluid composition. The cryogenic fluid production device may further include at least one filter to filter at least one component of a cryogenic fluid composition.
Examples described herein also provide a therapeutic method. The therapeutic method may include applying a cryogenic fluid to an organ tissue. The cryogenic fluid is formed between 20° F. and 31° F. Further, the cryogenic fluid may include at least one of water (H20) and at least one salt. The ratio of water to the at least one salt may be approximately between 1% and 6% salt with the remainder water. The method may further include applying the cryogenic fluid directly to a tissue of an organ, indirectly to the organ tissue, and combinations thereof. At least one of a temperature of the cryogenic fluid composition, a density of the cryogenic fluid composition, a viscosity of the cryogenic fluid composition, a size of solid particles within the cryogenic fluid composition or combinations thereof may be effected by adjusting at least one of a temperature of the cryogenic fluid composition as introduced into a cryogenic fluid composition device, a rotational speed of an auger within the cryogenic fluid composition device, a temperature of a heat exchange element of the cryogenic fluid composition device, or combinations thereof.
Examples described herein also provide a cryogenic fluid composition. The cryogenic fluid composition may include water (H20), and at least one salt. The ratio of water to the at least one salt is approximately between 1% and 6% salt with the remainder water. The ratio may be measured by weight. The ratio may be measured by volume. The cryogenic fluid may be formed between 20° F. and 31° F. The shape of ice particles within the cryogenic fluid may include at least one of approximately round, oblong, or globular, and may include a roughness average (RA) of between 63 RA and 125 RA. The roughness (e.g., small scratches) of the interior wall 1406 of
The cryogenic fluid may further include at least one of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), glucosamine, aloe including pure aloe, Epsom salts, trehalose, autologous cultured chondrocytes, cytokines for wound healing (e.g., derma gel, silvasorb, chlorhexidine 2%/4%, steroid creams), botulinum toxin type A, onabotulalinumtoxina (e.g., Botox), baclofen, tizanidine, cyclobenzaprine, iodine preparations (e.g., tincture of iodine, potassium iodide, iodophors), copper preparations (e.g., copper sulfate, copper naphthenate, cuprimyxin), sulfur preparations (e.g., monosulfiram, benzoyl disulfide), phenols (e.g., phenol, thymol), fatty acids and salts (e.g., propionates, undecylenates), organic acids (e.g., benzoic acid, salicylic acids), dyes (e.g., crystal [gentian] violet, carbolfuchsin), hydroxyquinolines (e.g., iodochlorhydroxyquin), nitrofurans (e.g., nitrofuroxine, nitrofurfurylmethyl ether), imidazoles (e.g., miconazole, tioconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, thiabendazole), polyene antibiotics (e.g., amphotericin B, nystatin, pimaricin, candicidin, hachimycin), allylamines (e.g., naftifine, terbinafine), thiocarbamates (e.g., tolnaftate), and miscellaneous agents (e.g., acrisorcin, haloprogin, ciclopirox, olamine, dichlorophen, hexetidine, chlorphenesin, triacetin, polynoxylin, amorolfine, Triclosan, Microban, Iodine, O-phenylphenol, Hydronium, Dakin's Solution, hydrogen peroxide, honey, vinegar, essential oils, Erythromycin (e.g., antibiotics), mesenchymal stem cells (e.g., MSCs), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and autologous protein solution (APS), chlorhexidine, dermatophilus congolensis, and combinations thereof.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2SO2. MSM is also known by several other names including methyl sulfone and dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2). This colorless solid features the sulfonyl functional group and is the simplest of the sulfones. It is considered relatively inert chemically and is able to resist decomposition at elevated temperatures. It occurs naturally in some primitive plants, is present in small amounts in many foods and beverages and is marketed as a dietary supplement. Small-scale studies of possible treatments with MSM have been conducted on both animals and humans. These studies of MSM have suggested some benefits, particularly for treatment of oxidative stress and osteoarthritis.
Additionally, the techniques described in this disclosure may be performed as a method and/or by a system having non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, performs the techniques described above.
Turning now to the figures,
Further, the cryogenic fluid creation system 100 may include a collection reservoir 106 for collecting the cryogenic fluid once it is dispensed from the main cryogenic fluid generator 104. With the cryogenic fluid, an individual may treat a number of musculoskeletal injuries such as, for example, injuries to muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and connective tissues of all kinds and severities, muscle strains, and muscle fatigue, among a myriad of other types of injuries. Further, the cryogenic fluid may be used to preserve organs for transplant. For example, prior to the organ being removed from the donor the organ may be flushed free of blood using the cryogenic fluid as an ice-cold preservation solution that contains electrolytes and/or nutrients. Further, after harvesting the organ, the organ may be placed in a sterile container along with additional cryogenic fluid and transported to a transplant center for implant into a recipient. Other uses and purposes for the cryogenic fluid are described herein.
The cryogenic fluid creation system 400 may include an electrical control assembly 402 used to control the various elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 described herein including all the elements used to prepare, convey, sanitize, pump, and generate the cryogenic fluid composition and/or the cryogenic fluid.
Fluid may be introduced into the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 via an adapter 518 coupled to the front lower right housing guard 410 via a bulkhead coupler 516. In one example, the adapter 518 may include a ⅜ inch (in.) NPT to barbed hose adapter that allows a hose to be selectively attached and removed from the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 via a number of barbs formed on the adapter 518 that acts as a gripper that holds the hose coupled to the adapter 518. In one example, the fluid may include water, water compositions, the cryogenic fluid composition, other chemical elements, and combinations thereof.
The water introduced into the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 may travel to a pump 512 via, for example, a hose (not shown). In one example, the pump 512 may include a self-priming or non-self-priming pump. In one example, the pump 512 may include a self-priming tank. In one example, the pump 512 may include an end-suction pump wherein the suction created by the pump 512 is axially aligned with respect to a rotation of a drive shaft of the pump 512 and the discharge of the pump 512 is oriented at a 90 degree)(° with respect to the suction. The pump 512 may be selectively activated via the electrical control assembly 402.
The pump 512 may pump the water to a number of filter cartridges included within the fluid filtration assembly 404. In one example, a discharge port of the pump 512 is fluidically coupled to an adapter of the filter cartridges via, for example, a hose (not shown). The filter cartridges of the fluid filtration assembly 404 may filter the water introduced into the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 in order to remove any impurities that may compromise the purity of the to-be-composed cryogenic fluid composition thereby making the cryogenic fluid composition a uniform solution that is free of contaminants. Further, the filter cartridges of the fluid filtration assembly 404 may filter the water in order to remove pathogens (e.g., microorganisms, germs, etc.) that may cause an animal such as a human or livestock to get sick if the to-be-generated cryogenic fluid were to come into contact with the animal and the pathogen remains in the cryogenic fluid.
Once filtered, the water may be pumped by the pump 512 from the filter cartridges of the fluid filtration assembly 404 to an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) assembly 510. The UVGI assembly 510 may include any device that uses ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), leaving the microorganisms unable to perform vital cellular functions. In one example, the UVGI assembly 510 may include an ultraviolet-c (UVC) light-emitting diode (LED) sterilizer. The UVGI assembly 510 may include a power source 534 used to power the light emitting devices within the UVGI assembly 510. Thus, the UVGI assembly 510 may be fluidically coupled to the filter cartridges of the fluid filtration assembly 404 while also being electrically coupled to the power source 534. The power source 534 may be selectively activated by via the electrical control assembly 402. The UVGI assembly 510 may be fluidically coupled to the filter cartridges of the fluid filtration assembly 404 via, for example, a hose (not shown).
Once filtered and sterilized via the filter cartridges of the fluid filtration assembly 404 and the UVGI assembly 510, respectively, the water may be pumped by the pump 512 to a reservoir assembly 506. The reservoir assembly 506 may include any container and a lid to the container. Once retained within the reservoir assembly 506, the water may be mixed with a number of additional chemical substances that may be used to form the cryogenic fluid composition. Examples of the cryogenic fluid composition including non-water chemical compositions are described herein. The additional, non-water chemical substances may be introduced into the reservoir assembly 506 via the lid. In one example, the reservoir assembly 506 may include a mixer to continually mix the cryogenic fluid composition to ensure a homogeneous mixture. The reservoir assembly 506 may be fluidically coupled to the UVGI assembly 510 via, for example, a hose (not shown).
Further, in one example, the reservoir assembly 506 may include a check valve/drain valve assembly 508 coupled between the reservoir assembly 506 and the UVGI assembly 510 to ensure that possibly contaminated fluid (e.g., water) does not enter the reservoir assembly 506. Further, the check valve/drain valve assembly 508 allows for any cryogenic fluid composition contained within the reservoir assembly 506 to be drained from the reservoir assembly 506 as described herein.
The cryogenic fluid composition formed within the reservoir assembly 506 may be held there until introduction to the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502. The cryogenic fluid composition may be introduced to the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 via a port located at the bottom end of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502. The cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 may be fluidically coupled to the reservoir assembly 506 via, for example, a hose (not shown). As will be described in more detail herein, an auger may be used to force the cryogenic fluid composition vertically upwards along an internal chamber of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502, expose the cryogenic fluid composition to a decrease in temperature provided by a heat exchanger system of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502, and generate the cryogenic fluid. In one example, the auger within the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 may be rotated about the vertical axis of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 using a motor 520. In one example, the motor 520 may include a hollow bore gearmotor. In one example, the motor 520 may include a GEARMOTOR F3 high torque alternating current (AC) gear motor with brake (item number: F3S35N20-MV6AWB2) developed and distributed by Brother Industries, Ltd. In one example, the electrical control assembly 402 may be selectively activated via the electrical control assembly 402.
In one example, the motor 520 may also be used to cause the heat exchanger to create a temperature differential between an environment outside the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 and the interior of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 such that the cryogenic fluid composition is caused to form into the cryogenic fluid. In this example, the motor 520 may act as a heat pump or compressor that compresses a refrigerant such that the refrigerant may be used to cool the interior of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502. The cryogenic fluid may then be dispensed from the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 for use as a therapeutic as described herein. The cryogenic fluid may be dispensed or pumped from the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 into, for example, the collection reservoir 106 of
The cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 may include a ball valve 526 coupled to a base of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 via a pipe nipple 524 and an elbow 522. The elbow 522 may couple to a port defined in the base and opening of the ball valve 526 may cause fluid contained within the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 to empty. This may be helpful in situations where the fluid must be removed in order to move the cryogenic fluid creation system 400, clean the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502, or for other purposes. Further, in one example, a spacer 528 may be positioned between the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 and the motor 520 in order to allow the motor 520 to mechanically couple to the auger 800 of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 at an intended position along, for example, the entry shaft 810 (e.g., the first neck 1002).
In one example, the heat exchanger of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 may include a resistance temperature detector (RTD) assembly 504 to detect a temperature of a refrigerant used to decrease the internal temperature of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502. The RTD assembly 504 may include any sensor whose resistance changes as its temperature changes. The resistance increases as the temperature of the sensor increases. Because an RTD is a passive device, the RTD does not produce an output on its own and a number of external electronic devices may be used to measure the resistance of the sensor by passing a small electrical current through the sensor to generate a voltage. In one example, a 1 milliamp (mA) or less measuring current, with a 5 mA maximum in order to avoid the risk of self-heating. Therefore, the RTD assembly 504 may include an ohmmeter electrically coupled to the electrical control assembly 402 and the RTD assembly 504 to detect the change in resistance. With this information, the electrical control assembly 402 may precisely control the internal temperature of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502.
The cryogenic fluid creation system 400 may include a frame assembly 514 including a number of horizontal members and vertical members coupled to one another as depicted, for example, in
Further, a number of housing guards may be included in the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 in order to finish the cryogenic fluid creation system 400, keep the elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 contained within an overall housing and to ensure that those elements are not compromised by users or other influences external to the housing. In one example, the housing guards described herein may be coupled to a number of the horizontal members and vertical members of the frame assembly 514. The housing guards of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 may include, for example, a top housing guard 406, a front, upper housing guard 408, a front lower right housing guard 410, a front lower left housing guard 412, a left side housing guard 414, a rear housing guard 416, and a right side housing guard 418.
More details regarding the above-described elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 are provided herein. These elements may be of any size, orientation, or shape to allow for the creation of the cryogenic fluid from the cryogenic fluid composition. For example,
In one example, the cryogenic fluid creation system 600 of
In
The auger 800 may be rotatably coupled to a drive shaft within the cylindrical housing. The auger 800 may include a number of helical threads 804-1, . . . 804-
In one example, the helical threads 804 may include a burr 904 on the edge thereof. The burr 904 may include a portion along a width of the helical threads 804 that is angled at approximately 45° with respect to a surface of the auger core 802. In one example, the burr 904 may include a portion along a width of the helical threads 804 that is angled at approximately between 30° and 55° with respect to the surface of the auger core 802. By including a different angle along the length of the helical threads 804 allows for the helical threads 804 may scrape cooling and freezing cryogenic fluid composition from an interior wall of a cylindrical housing in which the auger 800 is housed and mechanically rotated. As the cryogenic fluid composition is introduced into the cylindrical housing and is cooled by a heat exchanger, the cryogenic fluid composition begins to freeze and generate nano-sized frozen particles once being scraped from the edge of the cylindrical housing by the burrs 904. Once scraped off the interior of the cylindrical housing, the nano-sized frozen particles of the cryogenic fluid may be pushed up the length of the auger 800 and out of the cryogenic fluid creation system.
As indicated in
In one example, the auger 800 as driven by the motor 520 may produce a linear scraping speed of between 15 millimeters per minute (mm/min) and 3 mm/min at a gap ranging from 0.005 in. to 0.015 in. due to the rotational speed (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPM)) and relative size of the helical threads 804. Due to the rotational speeds, relative sizes of the auger helix, and closeness (e.g., small gap) of the auger 800 relative to an interior wall (e.g., interior wall 1406 of
Further, this speed can be computer controlled by measuring the amperage torque on the motor 520 by, for example, the electrical control assembly 402 to control the ideal rate of cryogenic fluid production. As the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 gets colder and reaches steady-state producing more cryogenic fluid, the linear speed of the auger 800 may be sped-up. The ability to control the rotation speed of the auger 800 provides for a more effective production of the cryogenic fluid if the solution percentage of the cryogenic fluid composition is not known, exact, or varies due to mixing. This torque sensing may be automatically adjusted as a percent solution of the cryogenic fluid composition goes from a very concentrated mix (e.g., a relatively lower freezing temperature such as, for example, 24°) to a more diluted one (e.g., a relatively higher freezing temperature such as, for example, 31°). The torque sensing will also adjust the relative viscosity or ice fraction of the cryogenic fluid composition. In one example, the cryogenic fluid, once frozen, may have between 10% and 50% ice/water in order to retain therapeutic benefits.
The entry shaft 810 may include a key seat 818. The key seat 818 may be configured to receive a key in order to couple the entry shaft 810 to a keyway of a drive shaft of the motor 520. In this manner, the entry shaft 810 of the auger 800 may be mechanically coupled to the motor 520 so that the motor may rotate the auger 800. Further, the entry shaft 810 may include a first neck 1002, a second neck 1004, and a base 1006. The exit shaft 812 may include a first neck 1102 and a base 1104. The first neck 1002, second neck 1004, base 1006, first neck 1102, and base 1104 may be used as structures to which bearings or other elements may mechanically couple to the auger 800 to support the auger 800 as it rotates.
As depicted in
The base 1208 may be positioned at the end of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 at which the entry shaft 810 of the auger 800 is located. In this manner, the base 1208 may be positioned at the bottom of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502. The base 1208 may be coupled to a bottom flange 1210. The bottom flange 1210 may be coupled to the core 1206 of the heat exchanger 1202 via any fastening device or method such as, for example, an engineering fit. As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “engineering fit” is meant to be understood broadly as any engineering fit such as, for example, a clearance fit (e.g., one of a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, and a location fit), a transition fit (e.g., one of a similar fit, and a fixed fit), and an interference fit (e.g., one of a press fit, a driving fit, and a forced fit). In this manner, the bottom flange 1210 may be coupled to the core 1206 via an engineering fit. Further, the base 1208 may be coupled to a bottom flange 1210 via any fastening device or method such as, for example, a number of bolts, nuts, screws, or other types of fasteners. The entry shaft 810 of the auger 800 may extend through and seat within the base 1208 and the bottom flange 1210 in order to allow the entry shaft 810 to couple to the motor 520.
The top flange 1214 may be coupled to the core 1206 of the heat exchanger 1202 via any fastening device or method such as, for example, an engineering fit. A discharge top 1212 may be coupled to the top flange 1214 via any fastening device or method such as, for example, a number of bolts, nuts, screws, or other types of fasteners. The discharge top may include a cap 1220 to close the discharge top 1212. An entry cap 1218 may be included in the cap 1220 to allow for access to the interior of the discharge top 1212.
The exit shaft 812 of the auger 800 may extend through and seat within the top flange 1214 and the discharge top 1212 in order to allow for the rotation of the auger 800 to rotate a discharge impeller 1216. The discharge impeller 1216 is used to convey the cryogenic fluid out of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 through the dispensing spout 532. more details regarding the elements of the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 are provided herein.
In one example, a shaft seal washer 1222 may be located between a face of the base 1006 of the entry shaft 810 and a mechanical shaft seal 1224. The mechanical shaft seal 1224 may be seated between the base 1208 of the entry shaft 810 and the base 1208 coupled to the bottom flange 1210. The mechanical shaft seal 1224 may include any device that is able to remain stationary with respect to the rotating entry shaft 810, allow the entry shaft 810 to rotate, and ensure that any fluids or contaminants do not move past the mechanical shaft seal 1224 and/or the base 1208 to the motor 520. In one example, the mechanical shaft seal 1224 may include an EA560 mechanical shaft seal developed and distributed by Eagle Burgmann Industries, Ltd.
In one example, the discharge top 1212 may include a mount 1226 that serves to support the exit shaft 812 with in the discharge top 1212 while allowing the exit shaft 812 to freely rotate. The discharge impeller 1216 may be coupled to an end of the exit shaft 812 in order for the rotation of the exit shaft 812 and auger 800 to impart rotational force to the discharge impeller 1216. In one example, the discharge impeller 1216 may be coupled to an end of the exit shaft 812 via a set screw, a key and key seat pair, or other device or method that locks the rotation of the discharge impeller 1216 with the rotation of the exit shaft 812. The discharge impeller 1216 may include a push face 1228 to push the frozen cryogenic fluid moved up the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 by the auger 800 and into the discharge top 1212, out of the discharge top 1212 via the dispensing spout 532. Once pushed out of the discharge top 1212 via the dispensing spout 532, the cryogenic fluid may be caused to be collected in the collection reservoir 106.
Further, the bottom flange 1210 may include a flange half coupling 1304. The half couplings described herein may include the half coupling described in connection with
The shell 1204 of the heat exchanger 1202 may also include a number of shell half couplings 1302-1, . . . 1302-
In one example, the flange half coupling 1304 may be oriented at approximately 90° with respect to the shell half couplings 1302 as depicted in the top view of the heat exchanger 1202 of
Turning to
Turning to
Turning to
As depicted in
An entry shaft aperture 1612 may also be defined in a side of the base 1208 opposite the bore 1610. The entry shaft aperture 1612 may be dimensioned to allow the base 1006 of the entry shaft to seat within the base 1208.
Turning to
The disc-shaped body 1702 may include a number of bottom flange bolt holes 1704-1, 1704-2, 1704-3, 1704-4, 1704-5, 1704-6, 1704-7, 1704-
The bottom flange 1210 may include a bore 1710 defined therein. Further, an injection port 1712 may be defined in the ring 1708 to allow for the cryogenic fluid composition provided from the reservoir assembly 506 to enter the bore 1710 and begin the freezing process described herein. The flange half coupling 1304 described herein in connection with the heat exchanger 1202 may be coupled to the bottom flange 1210 via the injection port 1712. Further, the RTD assembly 504 may be coupled to the flange half coupling 1304.
Turning to
The water filter housing 2010 may be coupled to a number of elements of the frame assembly 514 via the corner machine bracket 530. Any number of corner machine brackets 530 may be used to couple the water filter housing 2010 to the frame assembly 514.
The fluid filtration assembly 404 may include an inlet port 2004 to allow for the fluid to enter the fluid filter devices 2002. In one example, the fluid filtration assembly 404 receives the fluid from the pump 512 via the inlet port 20. A number of connecting pipes 2006 may be included to fluidically couple the fluid filter devices 2002. Further, the fluid filtration assembly 404 may include an outlet port 2008 to allow the filtered fluid to proceed to, for example, the UVGI assembly 510. In one example, the inlet port 2004 and the outlet port 2008 of the fluid filtration assembly 404 may include barbed hose adapters to couple hoses other elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400.
The frame assembly 514 may further include an electrical box mount 2104 to mount the electrical control assembly 402, a reservoir shelf 2106 to mount the reservoir assembly 506, and other mounts, shelves, and brackets to couple the various elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 to the frame assembly 514. Further, in order to assist in securing the various elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 to the frame assembly 514, a number of brackets 2108 may couple to the slotted frame pieces 2102. For example, in
To support the slotted frame pieces 2102 and the weight placed on the slotted frame pieces 2102, a number of corner gussets 2110 may be placed at the connections between slotted frame pieces 2102. In one example, the corner gussets 2110 may be dimensioned and configured to engage with the slots of the slotted frame pieces 2102 so that adjacent slotted frame pieces 2102 are mechanically coupled to one another. Further, inclusion of the corner gussets 2110 causes adjacent slotted frame pieces 2102 to be strengthen and bear relatively heavier loads as compared to not employing the corner gussets 2110. In one example, the frame assembly 514 may further include a number of welded corner angles 2118 to provide further support between horizontally oriented and vertically oriented slotted frame pieces 2102.
The frame assembly 514 may further include a base plate 2112. In one example, the base plate 2112 may include a number of apertures to assist in coupling the various elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 to the frame assembly 514. For example, an aperture may be defined in the base plate 2112 to position the motor 520 under the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 and couple at least one of the motor 520 and the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 to the base plate 2112. The base plate 2112 may further include a number of smaller apertures to allow for bolts to extend therethrough and couple the various elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 to the base plate 2112.
The frame assembly 514 may further include a number of leveling anchor plates 2114 and adjustable swivel legs 2116 coupled to a number of horizontally oriented slotted frame pieces 2102. The leveling anchor plates 2114 and adjustable swivel legs 2116 may ensure that the frame assembly 514 is level with respect to a surface on which the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 sits. In one example, a number of wheels or casters may be coupled to the horizontally oriented slotted frame pieces 2102 to allow for the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 to be moved.
A first branch of the tee 2210 may extend to a check valve 2212. The check valve 2212 may include any device capable of ensuring that possibly contaminated fluid (e.g., water) does not enter the reservoir assembly 506. A barbed hose adapter 2214 may be coupled to a distal end of the check valve 2212. A second branch of the tee 2210 may be coupled to a third pipe nipple 2216, an elbow 2218, and a barbed hose adapter 2220. The barbed hose adapter 2214 may be coupled to the reservoir assembly 506 via a hose (not shown). Further, the barbed hose adapter 2220 may be coupled to the UVGI assembly 510. The first pipe nipple 2206 may be open to ambient air and pressure such that when the ball valve 2204 is opened, the hoses and other elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 may be drained or bled.
Further, the tee 2308 may be coupled to a sensor fitting 2304 that houses an RTD sensor. The RTD sensor housed in the sensor fitting 2304 may be coupled to wiring 2302. The wiring 2302 may, in turn, be coupled to the electrical control assembly 402 to allow the electrical control assembly 402 to receive sensor data from the RTD assembly 504.
The reservoir assembly 506 may further include a second through wall adapter 2408 and a second barbed hose elbow 2410. The second through wall adapter 2408 and a second barbed hose elbow 2410 may be coupled to another fluid source such as water, a cryogenic fluid composition, concentrated cryogenic fluid composition, other chemicals, and combinations thereof to allow for additional components to be added to the reservoir 2402.
The reservoir 2402 may include a number of fluid level probes 2412-1, 2412-2, 2412-3, 2412-
The reservoir 2402 may include a lid 2416. In one example, the lid 2416 may be coupled to the reservoir 2402 via a hinge, a living hinge, a number of mating treads formed on the lid 2416 and reservoir 2402 or other coupling means. The lid 2416 may allow a user to add additional chemicals, for example, to the fluid contained within the reservoir 2402 in preparation for the fluid (e.g., the cryogenic fluid composition) to be fluidically conveyed to the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502.
The reservoir 2402 may further include an exit port 2414. The exit port 2414 may be fluidically coupled to the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 to provide the cryogenic fluid composition to the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 for freezing.
The UVGI sanitization unit 2602 may include a number of clamping hangers 2608 used to couple the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 to the frame assembly 514. Further, the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 may include a number of hexagonal standoff posts 2620 to ensure that the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 is positioned within the frame assembly 514 away from a number of other elements including, for example, the pump 512.
The UVGI sanitization unit 2602 may be fluidically coupled to the pump 512 via a barbed hose adapter 2610 coupled to the UVGI sanitization unit 2602. The barbed hose adapter 2610 may be coupled to the pump 512 via a hose (not shown). Further, the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 may be fluidically coupled to the reservoir assembly 506 via a nipple coupled to the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 and an elbow 2612, a nipple 2614, and barbed hose adapter 2622. The barbed hose adapter 2622 may be fluidically coupled to the reservoir assembly 506 via a hose (not shown).
The UVGI sanitization unit 2602 may further include a nipple 2616 coupled to the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 and a ball valve 2618 may be fluidically coupled to the nipple 2616. The ball valve 2618 may be used to drain the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 after use so that any fluid (e.g., water, cryogenic fluid compositions, etc.) within the UVGI sanitization unit 2602 may not become contaminated through remaining stagnant.
The water filter housing 2010 may further include a first side 2714 and a second side 2716. Further, the water filter housing 2010 may include a vertical back portion 2718 and a slanted back portion 2720. A first side aperture 2708 may be defined in the first side 2714 to accommodate for the inlet port 2004 entering the water filter housing 2010 and coupling to the fluid filter devices 2002. A second side aperture 2710 may be defined in the second side 2716 to accommodate for the outlet port 2008 coupling to the fluid filter devices 2002 and exiting the water filter housing 2010.
A first aperture 3012 may be defined in the top portion 3008 and back portion 3002 along a transition between the top portion 3008 and back portion 3002. The first aperture 3012 may be formed to allow the first pipe nipple 2206 to extend out of the valve bracket 2202 and support the first pipe nipple 2206 within the valve bracket 2202. The valve bracket 2202 may further include a second aperture 3014 defined in the back portion 3002. The second aperture 3014 may be formed to allow the ball valve 2204 to extend out of the valve bracket 2202 and support the ball valve 2204 within the valve bracket 2202. The valve bracket 2202 may further include a third aperture 3016 defined in the back portion 3002 and the bottom portion 3010 along a transition between the back portion 3002 and the bottom portion 3010. The third aperture 3016 may be formed to allow the tee 2210 and the third pipe nipple 2216 to extend out of the valve bracket 2202 and support the tee 2210 and the third pipe nipple 2216 within the valve bracket 2202. A fourth aperture 3018 may be defined in the front portion 3006. The fourth aperture 3018 may be formed to allow the check valve 2212 to extend out of the valve bracket 2202 and support the check valve 2212 within the valve bracket 2202. Further, a first coupling aperture 3020 and a second coupling aperture 3022 may be defined in the side portion 3004 or elsewhere on the valve bracket 2202 to allow the valve bracket 2202 to be coupled to the frame assembly 514 or other elements of the cryogenic fluid creation system 400.
As described above, a number of housing guards or plates may be coupled to the frame assembly 514 in order for the elements within the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 to be covered, secured, and protected from exterior influences so that the cryogenic fluid creation system 400 may function as intended.
The heat exchanger 4300 may include a plurality of internal helical coils 4302-1, . . . 4302-
In contrast, the example of
The heat exchanger 4300 of
The preparation of the cryogenic fluid by freezing the cryogenic fluid composition into a nano-ice slurry may be brought about by including any formulation of SERAKUL cryogenic fluid developed, manufactured, and/or distributed by Glacia, Inc. Applications of the cryogenic fluid depicted and described herein may include, for example, those listed in Table 1. The formulations of the cryogenic fluid composition may include those described herein in Table 2. Table 3 describes a number of applications of the methods, systems, devices, and formulations for the cryogenic fluid described herein. However, the lists of information provided in Tables 1 through 3 are not exhaustive.
Formulations of the cryogenic fluid may include, for example, those listed in Table 2.
The cryogenic fluid composition may include water (H20), and at least one salt. The ratio of water to the at least one salt is approximately between 1% and 6% salt with the remainder water. The ratio may be measured by weight. The ratio may be measured by volume. The cryogenic fluid may be formed between 20° F. and 31° F. The shape of ice particles within the cryogenic fluid may include at least one of approximately round, oblong, or globular, and may include a roughness average (RA) of between 63 RA and 125 RA. The diameter of ice particles within the cryogenic fluid may be between 1 nanometer and 900 micrometers. The at least one salt may include Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The cryogenic fluid may further include at least one of an alcohol, a sugar, the at least one salt, and combinations thereof. The cryogenic fluid may further include at least one therapeutic.
The field of use of the methods, systems, devices, and formulations for the cryogenic fluids may include, for example, those listed in Table 3.
As described herein, the cryogenic fluid composition that is frozen into the cryogenic fluid or slurry may include any alcohol, sugar, and/or salt. The alcohol, sugar, and/or salt have temperature lowering properties that allow for the nano-ice to form and maintains the cryogenic fluid as a slurry. Further, in one example, the salinity and percent weight to produce the nano-ice may be between 1.9% and 3.5% which produces freezing temperatures approximately between 20° Fahrenheit (F) and 31° F. (between −6.667 to −0.5 degrees Celsius).
In one example, the auger 800 may be positioned vertically so that frozen cryogenic fluid (e.g., nano-ice) may be elevated within the cryogenic fluid generator assembly 502 against the force of gravity resulting in the leaving of most of the unfrozen materials (e.g., water, cryogenic fluid compositions, etc.) behind and maintaining an ideal ice/water fraction in the frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry. Further, this ensures that unfrozen materials (e.g., water, cryogenic fluid compositions, etc.) may fall away as the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry is lifted out of the dispensing spout 532 for deposition and application. At this ice/water fraction, the gel or slurry mixture may not be easily pumpable unless immediately mixed before dispensing and with dispensing chutes and hoses large enough not to clog.
In the examples described herein, the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry may have a particle size with its above-mentioned inherent benefits at a size from approximately 200 nanometers (nm) to 500 nm in diameter. In one example, the particle size of the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry may be between approximately 1 nm and 900 micrometers (μm). As a comparison, slurry ice seen in frozen uncarbonated beverages may be between 1 mm and 3 mm and does not have the size benefits of the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry described herein. The surface of the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry may include ridges, scratches, or cleavage points as initiation-sites crystal formation. The roughness criteria may be between at least 63 roughness average (RA) and 125 RA.
The diffusion ice crystal growth may be such that at least a crystal or wall of ice is formed to a thickness of at least 200,000 nm to 500,000 nm and the passing helical threads 804 and burrs 904 of the auger 800 may scrape off the ice crystals causing the ice crystals to break at the nanoscale. In comparison, if the auger gap were larger and the speed of rotation of the auger 800 were slower, the crystal formation may be larger, and ice may be formed on the 1 mm to 3 mm scale of slurry ice which does not hold the therapeutic benefits as described herein in connection with the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry. The size of ice at the 200 nm to 500 nm (max 1 mm) may produce, for example, a replicate of a user's fingerprint.
The nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry being produced at this nanoscale also allows for dilation, reduction of swelling, and opening of pores of the user's skin to allow possible therapeutic agents in the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry to pass into the skin topically. Similar effects may be experienced in connection with different types of tissues and organs. These therapeutic agents in the nano-ice, frozen cryogenic fluid or slurry may include, for example, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), glucosamine, aloe including pure aloe, Epsom salts, trehalose, autologous cultured chondrocytes, cytokines for wound healing (e.g., derma gel, silvasorb, chlorhexidine 2%/4%, steroid creams), botulinum toxin type A, onabotulalinumtoxina (e.g., Botox), baclofen, tizanidine, cyclobenzaprine, iodine preparations (e.g., tincture of iodine, potassium iodide, iodophors), copper preparations (e.g., copper sulfate, copper naphthenate, cuprimyxin), sulfur preparations (e.g., monosulfiram, benzoyl disulfide), phenols (e.g., phenol, thymol), fatty acids and salts (e.g., propionates, undecylenates), organic acids (e.g., benzoic acid, salicylic acids), dyes (e.g., crystal [gentian] violet, carbolfuchsin), hydroxyquinolines (e.g., iodochlorhydroxyquin), nitrofurans (e.g., nitrofuroxine, nitrofurfurylmethyl ether), imidazoles (e.g., miconazole, tioconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, thiabendazole), polyene antibiotics (e.g., amphotericin B, nystatin, pimaricin, candicidin, hachimycin), allylamines (e.g., naftifine, terbinafine), thiocarbamates (e.g., tolnaftate), and miscellaneous agents (e.g., acrisorcin, haloprogin, ciclopirox, olamine, dichlorophen, hexetidine, chlorphenesin, triacetin, polynoxylin, amorolfine, Triclosan, Microban, Iodine, 0-phenylphenol, Hydronium, Dakin's Solution, hydrogen peroxide, honey, vinegar, essential oils, Erythromycin (e.g., antibiotics), mesenchymal stem cells (e.g., MSCs), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and autologous protein solution (APS), chlorhexidine, dermatophilus congolensis, and combinations thereof, among other chemical compositions.
In one example, the cryogenic fluid composition may be formulated to allow for a number of formations including dendrites, plates, solid prisms, hollow prisms, solid columns, hollow columns, and needles, among other formations. In one example, the formations may be generated along the interior wall 1502 of the core 1206 at between approximately 0° to −5° C. range (approximately 32° F. to 23° F.). At this range of temperatures, the formations may be scraped or knocked off the interior wall 1502. In one example, the cryogenic fluid composition may be formulated as a supersaturation in grams per meter cubed (g/m3) at approximately 0 to 0.3 g/m3. The formation of the cryogenic fluid or slurry at these temperatures and supersaturation levels allows for the formulations described herein to form rather than, for example, relatively larger formulations. As the formations are scraped or knocked off the interior wall 1502, the formations may be subjected to shear forces that create even smaller formations such as the nano-ice formations described herein. Thus, in the first instance of creation, the formations may be relatively smaller, and the formations further decrease in size as they are scraped or knocked off the interior wall 1502.
The examples described herein provide a systems, methods and formulations creating a therapeutic, homogeneous, cryogenic fluid. This simplified cryogenic system for cooling and freezing cryogenic fluid where the cryogenic fluid, once frozen, is scraped from an interior wall of a cylindrical housing by an auger housed and mechanically rotated within the cryogenic system is easy to operate and produces a superior therapeutic composition. The cryogenic system may include a heat exchange unit contained in an outer housing and in thermal coupling with the cylindrical housing and/or the auger. The present systems and methods further provide for a sealed, rapid heat exchange system including modular, self-aligning auger including a number of indexable end mills. Still further, the present systems and methods provide an angled push unit for expulsion of frozen material from the cylindrical housing of the cryogenic system. Further, the present systems and methods provide a number of chilling coils surrounding the auger and/or the cylindrical housing to freeze the cryogenic fluid in order to produce the therapeutic, frozen cryogenic fluid.
While the present systems and methods are described with respect to the specific examples, it is to be understood that the scope of the present systems and methods are not limited to these specific examples. Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present systems and methods are not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of the present systems and methods.
Although the application describes examples having specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are merely illustrative of some examples that fall within the scope of the claims of the application.
This application claims priority to and incorporates U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/209,243, filed Jun. 10, 2021, entitled “Methods, Systems, Devices, and Formulations for Cryogenic Fluids,” in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63209243 | Jun 2021 | US |